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October 28, 2022

Big mixed-use development proposed for former West Hartford UConn branch campus

Contributed West Hartford 1 LLC's preferred option for a development on opposite sides of the intersection of Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue.
By Michael Puffer

The buyers of the former University of Connecticut satellite campus in West Hartford have forwarded several possible design schemes for the 57-acre property, predominantly focusing on a mix of multifamily housing, retail, restaurants, medical office, research space and a neighborhood market.

Plans also call for walking trails and public park space. The development site is composed of two properties on opposite sides of the intersection of Trout Brook Drive and Asylum Avenue, 1700 and 1800 Asylum Ave. One already hosts several ball fields.

Five development options were shared with West Hartford’s Design Review Committee Thursday. Four mixed-use, with commercial development at 1800 Asylum Ave., the portion of the campus hosting academic buildings. Residential development would be clustered on the eastern side of Trout Brook Drive, 1700 Asylum Ave., a location currently occupied by parking lots and playing fields.

The “preferred” option shows seven large residential buildings ranging from three to five stories, along with a clubhouse, at 1700 Asylum Ave. This option also includes residential development on 1800 Asylum Ave., with some mixed retail and residential buildings, townhouses and multifamily buildings. This version includes a laboratory/research building, organic market, parking structure and retail building.

The proposal has been forwarded by West Hartford 1 LLC, which is listed as the principal of the limited liability companies that paid $2.75 million for the properties in December. West Hartford 1 has been quiet about its backers, but it shares a West Hartford office with Dominion Realty Group, whose principal, Domenic Carpionato, is a senior vice president with Rhode Island real estate development company Carpionato Group. West Hartford 1 confirmed Carpionato Group is not involved in the West Hartford development, in a released statement.

West Hartford 1 LLC released a statement Thursday through public relations firm Sullivan & LeShane. 

“The people who live and work in this area have waited a long time for the empty UConn campus to re-emerge in a way that befits the size, scale and natural features of this property," reads a portion of the statement. “As we begin discussions and idea-sharing with the Town of West Hartford, we will also begin engaging with neighbors, residents and community organizations so we can ultimately shape and bring to the community a plan that is worthy of this neighborhood and contributes to West Hartford’s vitality.” 

The plans presented Thursday will be further refined and would ultimately require a zone change from the Town Council, according to Town Planner Todd Dumais. It is likely the council would be asked to approve a special development design district, a sort of overlay zone, permitting the development, Dumais said. That process would include input from the Design Review Committee and the Planning and Zoning Commission. The properties are currently zoned for single-family development, Dumais said.

The development would also require an approval from the Inland Wetlands and Watercourses Commission, Dumais said. 
West Hartford 1’s submission identified itself, Newman Architects, BL Companies and Alter & Pearson LLC. as members of the development team. 

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